Video & Transcript Research : 'waiver'
Page 6 of 209
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- Senate Bill 1847 allows individuals who qualify for the Advantage Waiver Medicaid program to reside in
- So they would have to get the diagnosis after their assisted living to qualify for the waiver?
Keywords:
longevity pay, state employees, Oklahoma government, salary increase, emergency declaration, capital planning, funding allocation, state budget, infrastructure, emergency measures, income tax credit, qualified project, economic development, infrastructure funding, small population areas, school employees, teachers, support personnel, support employees, public schools
Summary:
The Senate Appropriations Committee met with a quorum and considered a series of bills, most of them receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support. Senate Bill 169 would increase the annual longevity payment award for state employees by 50% across all service years and passed 17-1. Senate Bill 1991, described as a cleanup bill for the Ocamp Fund, passed 19-0. Senate Bill 1992, which defines “strategic financing partner” under the SIDE Act for Department of Commerce projects, passed 20-0.
The committee also approved Senate Bill 1204, as amended, to provide Oklahoma teachers and school employees three days of bereavement leave after the death of a spouse or child, including a miscarriage; the amendment specified funding from the public school paid maternity leave revolving fund. Senate Bill 1339 passed to codify continued funding for off-the-formula schools and allow the State Department of Education to access funds to cover the 2023 teacher pay raise for those schools. Senate Bill 182 passed to allow certain CLEET-certified law enforcement officers and resident care specialists to join the OPERS hazardous duty retirement plan.
Additional measures approved included Senate Bill 1847, allowing certain Advantage Waiver Medicaid recipients diagnosed with cognitive impairment to remain in assisted living and age in place; Senate Bill 1360, creating a three-year pilot program placing math instructional teams in the lowest-performing districts; and Senate Bill 1346, as amended, directing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to establish a water and wastewater infrastructure investment program after removing an appropriation section. Several questions focused on funding sources, eligibility, and population-based allocation formulas, but no bills were rejected. Senate Bills 1427 and 1566 were laid over to go directly to the floor with no fiscal impact, and the committee adjourned after announcing it would meet again the following Wednesday.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
LMG Public Hearing - Wed Feb 18, 2026 @ 2:00PM HST
Legislative Management
Keywords:
child welfare, advocacy, oversight, independent office, foster care, child advocate, child safety, nepotism, ethics, government transparency, accountability, legislative standards, electronic voting, legislative transparency, Hawaii House, voting system, appropriation, lawmaker safety, political violence, confidentiality
Summary:
The House Committee on Legislative Management heard testimony on several measures. HB 1805, relating to child welfare, drew support from the University of Hawaii and concerns from the Attorney General about the bill’s definition of state agency and possible separation-of-powers and supremacy clause issues. During decision-making, the committee opted to move the child advocate function to the Attorney General’s office, accepted the Attorney General’s suggested scope and jurisdiction amendments, set the salary at 90% of the Department of Health deputy director’s salary, and passed the bill with amendments.
HB 2110, relating to nepotism, received support from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, which said the bill would apply the rule consistently and noted the existing good-cause exception process. The committee later deferred the bill, saying existing House rules on nepotism were already strict and that the proposal would be duplicative in statute. HB 2180, relating to voting boards, had no oral testimony in the room during the hearing, but the committee later amended it into a blank appropriations vehicle for the House of Representatives and passed it with amendments.
HB 2184, relating to lawmaker safety, drew concerns from the Campaign Spending Commission that the bill would require redaction of address information and could create implementation issues, and the Attorney General noted missing language regarding appointed officials and an internal cross-reference issue. The committee adopted amendments to address those concerns and passed the bill with amendments. HB 2219, relating to disclosure of privileged communications to the Ombudsman, was clarified by the Ombudsman’s office as not requiring disclosure of privileged material, only preserving privilege if such material is voluntarily provided; the bill passed with amendments. HB 2469, relating to a regular session review working group, received testimony from the State Procurement Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and others in support and opposition, and the committee passed it with amendments after changing references and funding language.
WA
Keywords:
HB2470, school construction assistance, capital budget, school facilities, on-base schools, military base schools, military installations, public school construction, school plant projects, state funding assistance, superintendent of public instruction, OSPI, school capital funding, instructional space, school district construction, alternative learning experience, ALE, free and reduced-price meals, special housing burden, district growth
Summary:
The committee held public hearings on three capital-related bills. HB 2353 would raise the pre-design threshold for state-funded capital projects from $10 million to $15 million and require annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2027. Staff and the prime sponsor said the change would reduce delays and costs for projects, with testimony from Steve DuPont supporting the bill as a way to avoid unnecessary pre-design work and construction escalation. The hearing on HB 2420 covered increases to the Small Works Roster threshold for public works contracts, with a proposed substitute delaying the first increase to January 1, 2027. Representative Zahn and several stakeholders, including universities, cities, ports, counties, and water districts, testified in support, saying the bill would reduce administrative burden, speed projects, and better reflect current construction costs.
The committee also heard HB 2470, which would change School Construction Assistance Program rules for school facilities located on military bases. Staff explained that on-base instructional space would be excluded from district inventory calculations, increasing eligibility, and that state assistance would be based on project cost minus federal funding. Representative Leavitt said the bill would help districts like Clover Park and Medical Lake better serve military families. OSPI, Clover Park School District, and the Veterans Legislative Coalition testified in support, though OSPI noted it was working on an amendment to replace a federal-funding backfill with a 15% increase in the SCAP funding assistance percentage to comply with federal law.
In executive session, the committee moved HB 2338, which would make community-scaled projects eligible under the Department of Commerce low-income weatherization program, out of committee with a due-pass recommendation by a 17-0 vote, with two members excused. The committee then held a work session with the Recreation and Conservation Office on its competitive grant programs, including the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program, youth athletic facilities, community forests, aquatic lands, boating, firearms and archery ranges, and federal trail and conservation programs. Members asked about demand, ADA compliance, match requirements, geographic distribution, and outreach to underserved communities; RCO said it uses advisory committees, regional allocation methods in some programs, and technical assistance to broaden access and improve distribution.
TX
TX
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill allows consumer lender licensees to collect finance charges on guaranteed asset protection waivers
Keywords:
breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention
WA
Keywords:
embodied carbon, building materials, sustainability, construction, environment, broadband, infrastructure, loan assistance, economic development, technology access, HB 2353, predesign thresholds, capital construction, capital budget, major capital projects, Office of Financial Management, OFM, Washington state, state agencies, infrastructure planning
Summary:
The Capital Budget Committee heard public testimony on Substitute House Bill 2236, which would update the Washington State Housing Finance Commission’s statutes. Staff explained that the bill would authorize the commission to make direct mortgage loans for multifamily housing, clarify that it is not a retail mortgage lender, extend bond counsel terms, remove notice requirements before bond issuance, and repeal outdated provisions including the housing finance program and housing finance plan requirement. The sponsor and commission representatives said the changes would modernize the agency, improve efficiency, and give it more flexibility to provide gap financing for affordable housing without using state general funds. Testimony was generally supportive, with some questions focused on housing access for communities of color, the effect of higher interest rates, and the possible role of longer mortgage terms; the commission emphasized its down payment assistance programs and work with banks and developers. The hearing on SHB 2236 was then closed.
The committee then heard House Bill 2273 on reducing embodied carbon emissions in buildings and building materials. Staff described requirements for the State Building Code Council to adopt embodied-carbon reduction standards for large projects, phased implementation, reporting, a public database and website through the Department of Commerce, and random audits. The prime sponsor said the bill responds to rising energy demand and would help lower emissions and potentially reduce costs by encouraging innovation and allowing embodied-carbon savings to count in future energy-code tradeoffs. Supporters from environmental justice and architecture groups said the bill would address pollution upstream, align Washington with other jurisdictions, and could be cost-neutral on many projects. Opponents, including the Washington Aggregate and Concrete Association and Washington Citizens Against Unfair Taxes, argued the bill could raise costs, create sourcing and timeline problems, and questioned the school construction exemption. The hearing on HB 2273 was then closed.
The committee also heard Senate Bill 5188, which would allow the Public Works Board to issue loans for broadband infrastructure repair and replacement under the broadband service expansion program, with priority for areas that would become unserved without the work. Staff noted operating and capital costs in the fiscal note and said an updated note had been requested. The Association of Washington Cities testified with concerns that expanding the program could signal further sweeps from the Public Works Assistance Account and undermine confidence in funding for other infrastructure needs, while a committee member raised whether the program should instead be handled through the Curb Board. The hearing was closed after no further testifiers appeared.
In executive session, the committee reviewed House Bill 2353, House Bill 2420, and House Bill 2470. HB 2353, which raises the predesigned threshold for capital construction projects from $10 million to $15 million and indexes it to inflation, was passed out of committee by voice vote with an 18-0-1 result. The committee then adopted a proposed substitute for HB 2420, which increases the small works roster contract limit to $530,000 and changes the effective date to January 1, 2027; it also passed 18-0-1. Staff also briefed HB 2470, including a proposed substitute that would increase state funding assistance for on-base school construction projects by 15% and remove a federal-funding offset requirement, but no vote on that bill occurred in the transcript. The chair announced another hearing and executive session for Friday and asked members to submit amendments by 10 a.m. the next day.
WA
Keywords:
investment, gifts, grants, University of Washington, funding, higher education, recycling, waste reduction, environmental policy, sustainability, municipal regulations, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment
Summary:
The House Appropriations Committee heard House Bill 2565, which would require the University of Washington to place gifts and endowment funds with the Washington State Investment Board instead of managing them through UW’s own investment office. Staff and the prime sponsor argued the state board could achieve higher returns at lower fees, while UW testified in opposition, saying its investment company is self-sustaining, transparent, and manages funds with different legal and liquidity constraints. No questions were raised during the hearing, and the bill was not advanced at that point.
The committee then took up amendments and executive action on several bills. For Third Substitute House Bill 1607 on beverage container recycling and waste reduction, members debated and rejected amendments that would have changed redemption-site locations, redirected unredeemed deposits to the Working Families Tax Credit and litter programs, added accountability requirements for grants, or created a supplemental SNAP benefit. The committee adopted only a technical amendment and then approved the bill on a 17-13 vote. For Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1622 on public employers bargaining over artificial intelligence use, the committee adopted one amendment refining the AI definition and rejected amendments that would have narrowed bargaining triggers further; the bill then passed 19-11.
The committee also advanced House Bill 2254 on the Partnership Access Line assessment, House Bill 2385 extending timelines for the Medicaid Access Program after federal changes, House Bill 2531 adjusting a quality assurance fee for ground transportation/ambulance reimbursement, and House Bill 2543 allowing county clerks to raise fees to cover required court-related changes. Each of those bills was reported out with a do pass recommendation after brief discussion and recorded roll-call votes.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- to say we have enough background on this, we have enough education, and you voluntarily signed a waiver
Keywords:
digital goods, advertising, ownership, license, consumer protection, refund policies, streaming services, minors, content creators, online platforms, compensation, trust accounts, child protection, video content, privacy, employment, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, landlord tenant laws, tenant rights
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> the neighbor islands through a waiver the neighbor islands through a waiver renewal.<01:29:29.760
- </c> of the public comment period of a waiver of the public comment period of a waiver renewal<01:29:
- </c> simply because you're in the DD waiver. simply because you're in the DD waiver.
- He's 25, having gone through both waiver programs now.
- >> Our waiver renewal is is doing that. >> Our waiver renewal is is doing that.
Bills:
SB2175, SB2410, SB2080, SB2276, SB2277, SB2282, SB2413, SB2425, SB2491, HB2315, HB2562, HB1532, HB1857, HB2209, HB1961, HB2343, HB2160, HB2505, HB1537, HB1562, HB1731, HB1853, HB1973, HB1974
Keywords:
environmental protection, waste management, disposable electronic smoking devices, plastic pollution, lithium-ion batteries, public health, electronic smoking devices, e-liquids, certification, FDA compliance, penalties, directory, mental health, telepsychology, interjurisdictional compact, psychology regulation, LGBTQ+ youth, access to care, professional licensing, surgical assistant
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing on multiple health-related bills and first took up HB 2315, which would create a Department of Health pilot program allowing eligible employees to defer unused vacation leave in exchange for a payout to help with home purchase assistance. The Department of Health testified in support, saying the proposal could aid recruitment and retention, and United Public Workers also supported it as a creative, cost-effective benefit that could help employees become first-time homebuyers. The chair likewise praised the department’s effort, and there were no questions or opposition before the committee moved on.
The committee then heard HB 2562 on workplace violence in health care settings. The Department of Health said it preferred requiring licensed hospitals to adopt workplace-violence prevention policies and public reporting rather than creating a new state program. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said it appreciated the intent and explained that, absent a specific standard, enforcement would rely on OSHA’s general duty clause, guidance, and inspections. Nurses and the Hawaii Nurses Association gave emotional testimony describing harassment, threats, doxxing, and fears for patient and worker safety, arguing that existing processes were too slow and that hospitals needed immediate, enforceable requirements. The committee discussed current hospital alarm systems and OSHA enforcement, and Labor said it does inspect hospitals and can receive complaints from employees.
HB 1532, concerning importation of large cigars and pipe tobacco, was announced as deferred at the request of the bill’s author so it could be refined with proponents and the Attorney General. The committee also discussed HB 1857, a very large measure redefining qualified health care provider and making extensive changes to health care law; the chair said the House would likely pass it without substantive changes and instead defer the effective date while using the Senate companion bill as the vehicle. Testimony on HB 1857 was generally supportive, including from the Hawaii Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and a certified genetic counselor, though both referenced proposed amendments.
Finally, the committee heard HB 2209, which would require insurers to honor a patient’s written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. The Insurance Division and HMSA opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it would create a special class of providers, raise fraud and litigation concerns, and potentially increase premiums. Treatment providers and advocates strongly supported the measure, saying insurers often refuse direct payment even when patients assign benefits, forcing families to front large sums and delaying access to residential treatment; they argued the bill would improve access and help keep care in Hawaii. A psychiatrist testified that he had not seen fraud in Hawaii and that the bill could help address long wait times for life-saving treatment. The committee also received written support from multiple individuals and organizations, and members began asking questions about HMSA’s network size and wait times, with follow-up information requested."}】【。final json to=commentary 天天中彩票出票 to=commentary code 彩神争霸邀请码 to=commentary 彩票平台招商 to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary ುತ್ತಾರೆ to=commentary
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 4/13/26
Transportation Finance and Policy
Keywords:
transportation, interchange, funding, bonds, St. Paul Park, transit, Metropolitan Council, Twin Cities, metro area, high-frequency transit, bus rapid transit, busway, guideway, transportation policy plan, transit performance measures, regional transit benchmarks, transit-oriented development, TOD, zoning, land use
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- So if you have less than 1,250 customers, you get a waiver for HB2, but you don't always get the points
Keywords:
tax delinquency, property sale, rehabilitation, Louisiana State Law Institute, legislation, homestead exemption, property tax, parish governance, Louisiana Constitution, voter approval, adjudicated property, real estate, political subdivisions, property sales, government authority, residential lease, tax credit, property valuation, Louisiana constitution, disaster response
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Children and Families Finance and Policy Committee 3/18/26
Children and Families Finance and Policy
Keywords:
foster care, early childhood education, child care programs, placement plan, social services, extended foster care, kinship care, relative custody, permanent legal and physical custody, Northstar kinship assistance, independent living plan, transition services, youth aging out of care, medical assistance, Medicaid, child welfare, children youth and families, out-of-home placement, case plan, relative placement
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Early Learning & Human Services Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Early Learning & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- to live in a community-based residential setting that's available under a home and community-based waiver
- to live in a community-based residential setting that's available under a home and community-based waiver
- representing the largest number of direct support professionals under state-contracted services. waiver
Keywords:
child care, Working Connections Child Care, WCCC, graduate students, professional students, higher education, full-time student, affordable child care, subsidized child care, child care subsidy, Department of Children, Youth, and Families, DCYF, income eligibility, state median income, copayment, copay waiver, family support, workforce participation, working families, special needs child care
OK
Keywords:
forfeiture, criminal offenses, law enforcement, Class D1 offenses, property seizure, SB1612, mandatory reporting, violent injury reporting, gunshot wound, stab wound, poisoning, burn injury, explosive injury, medical reporting, healthcare providers, law enforcement notification, evidence preservation, patient video records, confidentiality waiver, misdemeanor penalty
Summary:
The Public Safety Committee took up several criminal justice and public safety measures. Senate Bill 1936, as amended, increased penalties for impersonating law enforcement from a misdemeanor to a felony and expanded seizure provisions; amendments added federal law enforcement agents and state troopers to the covered officers, and the bill passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1612, requested by Tulsa police, would require limited reporting and sharing of certain injury-related information and hospital video/photo evidence with law enforcement to aid violent-crime investigations; members raised HIPAA, scope, and criminalization concerns, but the bill passed 5-2. Senate Bill 1543 would aggregate multiple DUI offenses within one year into a single felony case; after questions about sentencing, municipal charges, and deterrence, it passed 6-2. Senate Bill 1260 would require child sex traffickers and human traffickers to serve 100% of their sentences without parole or earned credits, and it passed 6-2.
The committee also considered Senate Bill 1988, which would increase wire-transfer fees on funds sent outside the United States and restore an income-tax credit for Oklahoma filers; members questioned whether it functioned as a tax, its impact on lower-income senders and service members, and its connection to drug trafficking. The bill failed on a 4-4 vote. Senate Bill 1859, creating an OSBI cybercrime and fraud unit with an estimated $3 million fiscal impact, passed unanimously after testimony that cyber and cryptocurrency fraud are growing and often harm elderly victims. Senate Bill 2041 would make a third possession offense for methamphetamine, fentanyl, or cocaine a felony, with supporters saying it would push offenders toward drug court and opponents warning it would increase incarceration; it passed 6-2. Finally, Senate Bill 1257 would classify THC as a Schedule I drug to align with federal law and close trafficking loopholes, and it passed unanimously. Senate Bill 1584 was laid over at the author’s request.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Rather, it recognizes reciprocal waivers as it pertains to space flight. which are already required by
- federal law, while these waivers are likely to hold up as binding in state court.
- In addition, the bill affirmatively recognizes federal waivers between commercial spaceflight companies
- These waivers are essential to allow spaceflight companies to pursue innovation, and with that, Mr.
Keywords:
low-THC cannabis, dispensing organization, Texas Compassionate-Use Program, medical use, patient access, registration, healthcare, legislation, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, political contributions, address privacy, Texas Ethics Commission, election transparency, campaign finance, election supplies, ballots
TX
Texas 89th Regular
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs May 5th, 2025
S/C on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Keywords:
veterans, service members, military transition, Texas Veterans Commission, pilot program, self-reliance, employment assistance, housing assistance, mental health services, career training, veterans service organizations, spouses and dependents, military families, Texas military forces, post-separation support, reentry services, workforce development, benefits navigation, transition assistance, SB 651
TX
Keywords:
minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard several bills, mostly on alcohol regulation, ethics procedures, the Alamo, and free speech in professional associations. SB 2633 would let the City of Garland hold local option elections on alcohol sales within designated zones and use zoning/land-use rules for alcohol-selling businesses; Senator Johnson and Garland officials said it would reduce the burden of the petition process and support economic development. SB 2637 would require social media platforms to disclose when posts are made by bot accounts and allow Attorney General enforcement; supporters framed it as consumer protection against misleading automated content, while members raised questions about how platforms would identify bots and how enforcement would work. SB 2334 would allow airlines with passenger transportation permits to store sealed alcoholic beverages within five miles of an airport in the same county, which the sponsor and an American Airlines witness said would improve logistics without changing permits, taxes, or alcohol sourcing.
The committee also heard SB 2781 and SB 2782, both related to Texas Ethics Commission procedures. SB 2781 would cap civil penalties tied to certain campaign contribution violations by former legislators who later lobby, and SB 2782 would require TEC to adopt discovery control plans and align discovery rules more closely with the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure to limit costly, open-ended discovery. Both bills were left pending after no public testimony. SB 3059 would transfer oversight of the Alamo from the General Land Office to a new Alamo Commission beginning in 2027; Senator Campbell said it would provide long-term stewardship and transparency, while Senator Birdwell questioned the need for a change and the commission’s structure, and GLO witnesses said they were not aware of any problem prompting the shift. HB 1130, a House companion to a previously passed Senate bill, would provide liability protections for cavern entities that post warning signs, and it was also left pending.
A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 2713, which would bar professional or trade associations from denying membership or access based on protected characteristics or lawful speech and assembly. Senator Middleton and invited witnesses described disciplinary actions by realtor associations against members for social media posts, sermons, or political speech, arguing that the National Association of Realtors’ ethics rules were being used to punish private expression and threaten livelihoods through loss of MLS access. Committee members and witnesses discussed whether the bill should be narrowed to avoid affecting religious organizations, how association discipline works, and whether the measure should address existing penalties or only future conduct. The bill was left pending after extensive invited testimony and committee discussion.
TX
Keywords:
minors, sexually explicit materials, public libraries, age verification, civil penalties, library collection review, alcohol storage, airline permits, beverage regulations, airport, commercial flights, alcoholic beverages, local option election, zoning regulations, municipality control, land use, state law, social media, bot accounts, misinformation
Summary:
The committee first reopened public testimony on Senate Bill 2713, which concerned protections for freedom of conscience in the context of Realtor association discipline. Texas Realtors representatives testified that their organization is a separate Texas legal entity but affiliated with the National Association of Realtors through a charter and code of ethics. They said Texas Realtors is neutral on SB 2713, that their ethics process is focused on fair housing and equal professional service, and that they have not suspended or terminated anyone in Texas for religious or political speech. Senators pressed them on whether national standards could override Texas law and on examples from other states; the witnesses said state and federal law control and that they would comply with Texas law if the bill passed. Public testimony then closed and SB 2713 was left pending.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1698 on e-cigarettes. Senator Parker explained a committee substitute that tightened enforcement, required distributor registration, expanded regulation to nicotine from any source, added restrictions on child-appealing packaging, authorized inspections and audits, and set compliance deadlines later in 2025 and 2026. After questions, the substitute was adopted and SB 1698, as substituted, was reported favorably to the full Senate on a 6-0 vote, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar.
Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 2487 on crisis and mental health facilities. Senator Parker described a substitute that renamed the program a crisis service model, allowed multiple county facilities, added local siting limits, expanded staffing options, shortened clinical timelines, required discharge referrals, directed law enforcement and EMS to transport people there first, and created local boards and expanded reporting. The substitute was adopted and the bill was reported favorably on a 6-0 vote, also recommended for the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2819, dealing with political activities of county elections administrators, was then reported favorably on a 6-0 vote and likewise sent to the local and uncontested calendar. Senate Bill 2043 was withdrawn.
The committee spent substantial time on Senate Bill 2101, which would require municipal public libraries to move sexually explicit materials out of minors’ sections and impose age-verification and review requirements. Supporters argued the bill would protect children from explicit material in public libraries and that libraries should not be left to self-regulate. Opponents, including librarians, parents, authors, and ACLU representatives, argued the definitions were vague, the bill would be costly and burdensome for small libraries, could function as a book ban, and would restrict teens’ access to classics, research materials, and other books. Several witnesses said parents should make those decisions, not the state. The bill’s author said the committee substitute was still being worked on and asked witnesses to review it; public testimony remained open in the portion provided, with no final action on SB 2101 shown.
TX
Keywords:
biological sex, government information, definitions, sex-based distinctions, public health, flags, display, state law, municipalities, government buildings, drug enforcement, local control, home rule, municipal charter, county policy, ordinance preemption, state preemption, attorney general enforcement, civil penalties, mandamus